This Sky by Autumn Doughton
on 8/12/14
Genres: Humorous, New Adult, Romance
Pages: 334
Format: eBook
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When he touches me, the sky and the earth switch places

Gemma Sayers has spent the last six days rotting in a hotel room, wallowing in a noxious combination of gin, junk food and self-pity. She’s no stranger to disappointment but nothing could have prepared her for the chaos that unfolded when her celebrity boyfriend publicly humiliated her. Now the fairytale is officially over and Gemma is determined to put the past behind her and strike out to find a new dream. Just a few teeny-tiny details to work out: she’s currently broke, homeless and unemployed.

Landon Young has his own worries. Surfer by day and bartender by night, he doesn’t have the interest or the time to be anyone’s happily-ever-after. Weighed down by the memory of what happened two years ago, Landon can barely keep his head above water.

This Sky is the thoughtful and often funny story about broken trust, an unexpected love and the hopes we keep sewn in the linings of our pockets.

This Sky is a sweet and endearing love story. It is a coming of age tale about love, trust, and growth. Autumn Doughton’s lyrical writing left me feeling sweetly hypnotized.

My first impression of this book was that the writing was very melodic. I was immediately drawn in by the flow of the words and the rhythm of each sentence. There’s no way I could’ve resisted. Which is odd, because, personally, I’m not a fan of poetry, it’s an art form that I usually find pretentious or cheesy. This Sky is genuine and unassuming, which I love.

I’m alone. I’m always alone.

Alone in this body.

Alone in this life.

Things are shifting. They’re smoking. Dissolving into air.

Need.

Love.

Hate.

Soon, what will be left of me besides echoes and negative space?

The novel focuses on two lost souls, Gemma and Landon. When we meet Gemma, she is wallowing in her ugly tears after a very public, humiliating break up. Landon is also wallowing (his is more of a sexy brood though) after a public fall from grace. These two are skittish about commitment, and they’re both trying to find ways to move forward from their shitty pasts.

Gemma is funny, a bit snarky, and she reminds me of one of those theatre geeks on Glee. Landon is quietly sexy, and I pretty much fell in love with him on page 1. The chemistry between these two is sneaky sexy. One thing that I love about this book is that the romance is subtle, but it is still potent.

I think that readers who like a slow burn and appreciate a more delicately, detailed romance will love this book. I usually like more blazing, hot scenes, but I feel like was sucked into this romance. It was a slowly rising tide, and before I knew it, I was adrift.

It’s like I’m being dragged into something big and powerful. Time seems to stretch out, making ripples of energy all around me…You can’t see it, but you can feel the friction…

Do you feel it?

With a supporting cast of witty and fun characters, this story unfolds very smoothly. Although the two protagonists battle some emotional turmoil, Doughton’s writing doesn’t bog you down with angst and drama. Events unfold quickly, but still with impact. I’d describe the mood of this book to one of those indie romances you’d find on Netflix. The hidden gems that don’t get all the attention of the star-studded blockbusters, but the ones you love to watch on a sleepy Sunday.

I really enjoyed reading this novel, and connected with both Gemma and Landon as they struggled to find themselves, to love, and to trust.